Ch 12.1 Herbs that tonify Qi

Question 1

Ren Shen ***
“man root”
(ginseng root)

Answer 1

Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly warm
LU, SP
Powerfully tonifies the primal Qi (STRONG for emergencies); strengthens SP/ST, LU, augments Qi; Generates fluids, stops thirst; Benefits HT Qi, calms spirit
NOT w/EPF, constraint or empty heat, other stimulants

Question 2

Dang Shen ***
“Group root”
(codonopsis root)

Answer 2

Sweet, neutral
LU, SP
Tonifies middle jiao, augments Qi (diarrhea, low appetite, fatigue, prolapse); Tonifies LU; for late febrile Dz or blood xu; Also w/herbs to release exterior or drain downward when Pt has significant Qi xu

Question 3

Huang Qi ***
“Yellow herb”
(Astragalus root)

Answer 3

Sweet, slightly warm
LU, SP
Tonifies Qi and blood; Tonifies SP, raises yang; Augments Wei Qi, stabilizes the exterior; promotes urination to reduce edema; promotes discharge of pus and generates flesh; also for DM, limb neuropathy, Bi
NOT w/toxic heat sores

Question 4

Shan Yao ***
“Mountain herb”
(Chinese yam)

Answer 4

Sweet, neutral
KD, LU, SP
Tonifies and augments the SP/ST; Tonifies the LU Qi, augments LU yin; Tonifies the KD, and secures the essence
A food, may be taken in large doses. NOT w/damp causing fullness of abdomen

Question 5

Bai Zhu ***

White atractylodes rhizome

Answer 5

Sweet, bitter, warm
SP, ST
Tonifies the SP (PRIMARY HERB!), augments Qi; Dries dampness, promotes water metabolism; Stabilizes the exterior and stops sweating; Calms the fetus
NOT w/internal heat from yin xu or thirst from exhausted

Question 6

Da Zao ***

Jujube, chinese date

Answer 6

Sweet, warm (3-12, or 10-30g)
SP, ST
Tonifies the SP, augments Qi, harmonizes; Nourishes the blood and calms the spirit, generates fluids; Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs
NOT w/excess heat, DH, phlegm-H. Caution with lots of damp or qi stagnation

Question 7

Gan Cao ***
“sweet herb”
(Licorice root)

Answer 7

Sweet, neutral (sheng)/warm(dry-fried)
All 12 channels, especially HT, LU, SP/ST
Tonifies SP, augments qi; Moistens the LU, stops coughs; Moderates spasms and alleviates pain; Clears heat, resolves fire toxicity; Moderates and harmonizes other herbs (1# function)
NOT w/distention, fullness of chest and abdomen, or vomiting excess dampness

Question 8

Tai Zi Shen **
“prince root”
(pseudostellaria root)

Answer 8

sweet, slightly bitter, neutral (9-30g)
LU, SP
Strengthens the SP, augments the Qi (but mild); Generates fluids

Question 9

Huang Jing **
“Yellow Essence”
(Solomon’s seal)

Answer 9

Sweet, neutral
KD, LU, SP
Tonifies the SP Qi and augments SP yin (for fatigue, dry mouth, dry stools); Enriches the yin and moistens the LU (for cough w/little sputum)
Gentle herb but cloying, can increase dampness

Question 10

Bai Bian Dou ***
“white flat bean”
(hyacinth bean)

Answer 10

Sweet, neutral (9-30g)
SP, ST
Strengthens the SP, nourishes ST, transforms dampness and harmonizes middle; Clears summer heat accompanied by dampness; treats poisoning
NOT taken raw